Read New Species 09 Shadow for Free Online Page B

see her humor fade as sadness invaded her gaze. “Oh. I know about being thought of as less.” Her chin lifted. “The guards gave me mean names.”
    He didn’t even want to know what she’d been called. It would piss him off. “I like the name you took.”
    “The rescue team chose this one for me and I kept it.”
    “It is very fitting.”
    She smiled again. “You think I’m attractive?”
    Beauty took his breath away and trapped it inside his chest until he forced his lungs to work again. “Yes.”
    “Good. I think you’re attractive too.” Her hand left his chest and timidly rose to his hair, her fingertips brushing the ends of it. “Why is it so short?”
    “I worked with the task force of humans who work for the NSO. I just returned to Homeland days ago. I lived in the basement at the unit’s headquarters. We cut our hair to fit in with the others.”
    “I hate basements.” Her hand lowered to curve around the top of his shoulder and made him very aware of her light touch. “Did you have windows?”
    “No.”
    “I didn’t either,” she admitted. “I remember the times I was taken out into the sunshine.” Her eyes closed as if she clung to the memory so she could picture it vividly in her mind. Her expression validated his guess when she smiled. “It was so warm and bright. Those are some of my best memories of growing up.”
    “I’m glad you had some good ones.”
    Her eyes opened and she smiled. “There was a small courtyard with grass and a water fountain. Once a week I was allowed outside for an hour or two. Master didn’t like how pale my skin would become and he said I needed a little color.”
    Shadow wanted to wrap his fingers around the human’s throat and choke the living shit out of the one who’d abused Beauty. She was grateful that someone had allowed her time out of her cell because they hadn’t liked the way she looked. It also explained why she would run outside during a storm. She had no idea how dangerous it could be.
    “Promise me something, Beauty.”
    “Okay.” The instant agreement stunned him a little. She didn’t even know what he wanted but granted his request. It reinforced her innocence.
    “Stay indoors when there’s a storm. You could have been struck by lightning or a tree could have fallen from the wind and rain. It’s dangerous to go out in them.”
    “I know.”
    “Then why do it?” He frowned, showing his displeasure.
    “I just wanted to do something, anything, to break free I guess.”
    “You are free.”
    Her hand slid from his shoulder to the center of his chest and she ducked her head, laying her cheek against him. “I’m really not, Shadow.”
    Her words alarmed him. “What do you mean? You are free. Is someone saying otherwise? Look at me. Tell me.”
    She hesitated. Had someone at Homeland abused her? Frightened her? Was someone bullying her and ordering her to do things she didn’t want? He’d get her to talk and he’d immediately handle the situation. He’d beat on anyone who intimidated her.
    “I’m a Gift Female,” she whispered.
    “Yes. Who has frightened you? Who gives you orders?”
    She finally met and held his gaze. “No men are allowed to approach or talk to me. I’m not allowed to work with them the way the bigger women do. We never leave Homeland to visit Reservation.” Tears glistened in her eyes and it tugged at his heart instantly.
    “It’s for your protection.”
    “Against what? You? Are you going to hurt me?”
    “Never!”
    “Exactly. Are other Species men going to hurt me?”
    “No. They’d never dare.”
    “I’m…” Her voice died.
    “You’re what?”
    “I’m lonely.”
    Her tears spilled over and slid down her cheeks. He couldn’t resist wiping them away with his thumb. It hurt him to see them. “You’re surrounded by females. I’ll talk to them and they will spend more time with you. Just tell me what you need to make sure you get it.”
    “You’re the first man who has ever held